A scoping review of qualitative research in peer‐reviewed dental publications

Abstract

Objectives: Qualitative research designs are being used increasingly in dental research. This paper describes the extent and range of dental research in which qualitative methods have been employed as well as the techniques of data collection and analysis preferred by dental researchers. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to locate studies published in dental journals, which reported the use of qualitative methods. Data concerning the focus of the research and the reported qualitative techniques were extracted. Results: Studies included in the review totalled 197. The majority of qualitative research captured in this scoping study focussed on three main areas: dental education, professional dental and dental educators' activities and experiences and the patient/public perceptions. Interviews and focus group discussions were the most commonly selected techniques for data collection. Conclusions: The majority of the studies included in the scoping review had a focus on education of dental professionals the activities of dental professionals or the reported perceptions of or experiences with dental services by patients or members of the public. Little research was located, which explored peoples' personal experience of dental conditions. Research reported in dental publications has a heavy bias towards the use of focus groups and interview data collection techniques.

Improving the Quality of Dentistry (IQuaD): a cluster factorial randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness and cost–benefit of oral hygiene advice and/or periodontal instrumentation with routine care for the prevention and management of periodontal disease in dentate adults attending dental primary care

“…[76][77][78] Dental anxiety and fear were significant barriers to attending the dentist. 79,80 The review reaffirmed the importance of costs, 76,81,82 and provider of care. 76,83 There was less information on preferences for dental health outcomes, such as bleeding gums (the primary clinical end point for the trial).…”

Going where other methods cannot: A systematic mapping review of 25 years of qualitative research in Otolaryngology

“…Almost two‐thirds of studies in our analysis were conducted using semi‐structured interviews, with most other methods scarcely used. A similar dominance of semi‐structured interviews over other qualitative data collection methods was found in surgery and dental research . Semi‐structured interviews provide a method of gathering rich data about individuals, thoughts and understandings; however, these are not suited to all types of research question.…”

“…Following the spread of qualitative methods from their initial uptake in nursing and primary care to areas such as dentistry and surgery, maps have been provided of their use in some areas of health research . To date, however, little is known of qualitative research in otolaryngology.…”

Quality, Equity and Partnerships in Mixed Methods and Qualitative Research during Seven Years of Implementing the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative in 18 Countries

“…A PubMed search revealed a number of studies showing that completeness of reporting of qualitative studies ranged between 40–60%. However, these were restricted to specific themes, such as dentistry, nursing, organ transplant, and smoking practices [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], or to specific countries [ 21 ]. No study has assessed the reporting of qualitative studies stemming from a research capacity building initiative focused on LMICs and covering a spectrum of public health domains.…”